INDIANA CHILDREN AND NATURE NETWORK OUTDOOR LIVING
Community members explore macroinvertebrates at Wellfield Botanic Gardens.
Natural and other loose parts make great art!
Toddlers stack tree cookies.
Mud play is a great way to spend time outside!
6 inMiddlebury Magazine | MARCH 2022
How often do your children get outside? Indiana Children and Nature Network (ICAN), part of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana, strives to help children and families enjoy nature and dismantle myths around outside time. ICAN notes: Our mission is to foster the connection of children, families and communities to the natural environments so they can receive the physical, emotional and intellectual benefits of spending time outdoors, while building a lifelong love of nature. ICAN does this by: • Raising awareness of the many benefits of connecting children with nature; • Promoting unstructured play and time outdoors for children and adults; • Engaging a diverse network of people and facilitate collaborations. Additionally, ICAN has several initiatives: • ICAN Play 30—Pledge to spend 30 minutes outside daily. ICAN suggests making nature part of your regular routine, with ideas such as reading outside, exploring new playgrounds, creating a nature bucket list, or jumping in puddles. There is even an #ICANPlay30 hashtag to share the outdoor play on social media and a downloadable certificate on the ICAN website. • Nature Play Days—Groups across the state host Nature Play Days in early June. For 2022, Nature Play Days are being held June 4th-12th. Watch for (or even host) a play in Middlebury or a nearby town. ICAN hosts a resource packet, promotional materials, NPD success tips, social media items, and a map and list of play days across the state. I have hosted several of these in the area—what a fun time to play and gather with other community members. There is a webinar on March 24th to learn more about hosting this. Find details on social media or the ICAN website. • Community Outreach—ICAN hosts Family Nature Club training and Brown Bag lunches to help promote children getting outside. We also hosted a webinar about enjoying winter with children recently, including a spotlight with Megan Coryell, educator at York Elementary School. Find it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaDV5fIuSy4 • Resources—The ICAN website lists places to play in Indiana, resources for the medical community, nature play blogs, and more. Through each of these initiatives, ICAN helps support children and communities getting outside, just as we can in our community. Join the initiative and conversation at https:// www.indianachildrenandnature.org/ Dr. Carla Gull blogs at www.insideoutsidemichiana.com and hosts the podcast Loose Parts Nature Play. She is often seen with four tag-along explorers in the greater Michiana area.
